United Arab Emirates (country code +971)

United Arab Emirates (country code +971)

Communication of 7.IX.2006:

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Abu Dhabi, announces that, as the statutory body responsible for the regulation and liberalisation of the telecommunications market, it has hereby taken responsibility for the National Numbering Plan (NNP) for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As part of this change, the TRA has undertaken a review of the National Numbering Plan (NNP). This review has resulted in some changes to the plan, which are incorporated into the table as highlighted below.

The review of the National Numbering Plan (NNP) has taken into account the need to minimise the impact of any changes on the consumers within the UAE, and those calling consumers in the UAE from overseas, whilst allowing for foreseeable growth and developments in the telecommunications market. The changes will occur in accordance with the schedule of implementation for mobile services and for fixed services as directed by the TRA.

The most significant change is to the mobile sector, where a second 05X number range is being made available. In parallel, there are changes to the dialling of mobile numbers by all consumers in the UAE, whereby subscribers will have to dial the full mobile number, including the escape digit “0”, for all calls regardless of the originating or destination communications provider.

NOTE: callers from overseas will not dial the escape digit “0”, as per standard international dialling practice.

There are no other significant changes to the plan at this time. However, there have been minor changes intended to standardise and rationalise the plan in accordance with international best practice. The full UAE National Numbering Plan (NNP) Policy is available on the TRA website [www.tra.ae], within the Policies and Regulations section, as a PDF document.